The list of the top baby names for 2005 reveals just how much the UK trends are influenced by the media and the famous. It also illustrates that while the use of the most popular boys' names is relatively steady, changing little from year to year, parents of girls tend to be more adventurous.

Girls: film stars and soap opera divas

Scarlett and Keira reflect our love of the silver screen, while television makes its mark on our name selections with Summer, Skye and Libby all in the top 100. Girls' names also increasingly reflect an earlier generation, with Grace and Ruby leading the trend.

Boys: Jack is still king of the castle

For the eleventh year running, Jack continues to be our most popular choice for a boy, with Joshua, Thomas, James and Oliver also maintaining their exact top five positions from last year. The list of top boys' names tends to be less influenced by the rich and famous. However, since Tony and Cherie Blair's decision to name their youngest son Leo, it has continued to grow in popularity. From its first appearance at number 88 in 2002, Leo is now our 37th favourite.

In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the name selections seem to be less influenced overall by fame and celebrity, perhaps reflecting parents' wishes to follow family naming traditions rather than popular culture.

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Comments

Ive just found out am excepteing my 3rd child i have richard alexander whose 10 and rebecca mary whose 7 and we dontno what the little pea is yet but ive gor boys name leo james which is leo we both like n its my dads star sign n my bfs mums as well n james is my bfs dads name we dont have girls name but would like to use jennifer has middle name so if could get any help

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